National Republican., 1887-08-03
Realization TO virginia,

Inc hon. James Ia. barbour IS KNOWN rs
the ablest political leader CT the Democratic
party IN Virginia. In 1888 his sagacity and
skill restored the party to power. The
party treated him with ingratltude almost
equal to the incapacity it has displayed In
governing the state or managing political
campaigns. 1t was beaten badly by the Re
pubicans In 1856, and in its hour of distress
turned to Mr. Barbour and implored him to
come to its rescue. lie has consented, and
takes charge OF the coming campaign,
which is, in fact equivalent to leading for
lorn hope. What Mr.. Barbour says as TO
Virginia matters is worthy OF consideration,
and we give an extract on the debt question
from a recent letter OF his. He says:
have given the subject of the state debt
q good deal of thought, and, as at present ad
vised, do not see that the Democratic party o!
Virginia can afford to change the position a.
sumed in 1883 10 abide by the Riddleberger
settlement. The people of Virginia have AZ
proved ofthis platform, as aununcinted In the
creed of both parties. do mt think, ther,-
fore, 1t would be safe to depart from this pos
ton. The assistance OF the federal govern.
ment-to which you refer rs the idea of Henry
A. Wise first and anerward presented in n
general way by Mr.. Blane-is very well
worthy OF consideration and might be intro
duced at our convention as supplementary -
the declaration to stand by the Riddlebarger
settlement. There was resolution of thiS
SOFT introduced and adopted in the house OF
delegates at the extra session OF the legisla
ture Just before its adjournment, which you
may have noticed. While Congress probably
cannot be induced to commit the federal gov.
20, hn in,g NF
state, itis believed that n proposition to appro.
PIRATE an.amount ofthe public lands equivalent
in area to the territory which was taken from
Virginia in the dismemb crmcnt OF the state
might be passed. At least strong equities
could be urged IN its behalf aud good case
presented 10 the national Legislature. Ifthis
can be accomplished land fund would be
realized which would fully pay our state
debt aud probably leave us surplus for edu-
cationRl purposes.
Any of our readers who may have file
OF the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN can turn to
the paper of April 90, 1885, and they will
see that Mr.. Barbour Is indorsing what the
REPUBLICAN proposed then in an elaborate
discussion Of the whole subject On that
occasion extracts were given from the
original reports OF the session OF the north
western territory to the United States, and
the guarantee of the integrity Of It's rem ,n-
ing territory asked for by Virginia from
the general government. At the same time
an extract was given from what Mr.. Blaine
said In his book.
Edltorially the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,
then took the position that Mr.. Barbour
no,p takes, that whilst the general govern
ment might not be willing to appropri itc
money to pay for the land taken from Vir-
| ginia, II could not decently refuse TO give
| the state the same number of acres OF Ian |,
| in round numbers 100000 acres, taken
from 1t to form the state of West Virginii.
since that date this subject has been several
times pressed in these columns, anl the
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Is glad to see 50
able and prominent Virginian as Mr..
Barbour adopting its views.
The question is not political one In any
sense of the word. 1t Is question OF
| justice aud right, and It should be KEPT
carefully out OF all political discussions
Every man in Virginia irrespective of poll
tics can and will indorse this idea aud work
cheerfully for its accomplishment uules
/
wise action.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,, In this aud
all else 1t has said ON the Virginia debt
question, has had no thought or care rs to
the political effect. 1t saw the state cas-
down and helpless; 1t knew what was jus,
In the premises; 1t had faith in the honesty
and fairness of the American Congress and
the American people, and for these reasou
IT advanced and advocated the idea Of sub
stituting other lands for those taken from
Virginia.
Properly placed before Congress, fret
from any political complications, there Is n,
doubt that this restitution will be made
but Its advocates, and that should Include
all Virginis, must make no mistakes. Th
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN will surely do al
In It's power to secure the desired end.
For, in fact, the editor OF this paper, the
residing in st. Louis Mo-, wrote to MI
Blaine an urgent letter, which letter wa
submitted to Gen. John B. Henderson, @
Missouri, since president Of the nations
Republican convention, and received hi
emphatic Endorsement, asking him to us
his great influence with President CARTEL
to make the recommendation In his frs
message to Congress that restitution /
made to Virginia by setting aside for tha
state 100000 acres Of the public land, |
lieu Of the 100000 acres now constitu
ing the state of West Virginia, which ha
been wrenched from Virginia by the nece
stiles of war. Garfield died before he ser
a message to Congress. Mr.. Blaine, how
ever, has not been unmindrul of the sui
ject, and by speech and pen has advt
Gated what the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, HI
necessarily urged in behalf of the people {
the state of Virginia.